work and language

In case you were wondering we haven't only been going to parties and visiting the lake this last month. (Contrary to the reports in our last post) We have continued in our Chichewa lessons. Joyce (in picture) has been a great help to us as she really encourages us to speak Chichewa, even when it takes FOREVER for us to find the right words. She is amazingly patient.






We (the whole family) also had the opportunity to visit a village right here in Lilongwe where Children of the Nations runs a feeding program for orphans and other needy children. Here I am attempting to use my Chichewa to talk with the kids. It turns out that I still have some studying to do. But we were able to sing a Malawian Christmas song together--in Chichewa! Sydney and Sam love the song and sing it all the time.
Sydney and I also had the opportunity to go to the local hospital's malnutrition ward with a ministry of our local church. We were able to distribute Christmas gifts and food to the patients and their families there. The wards were very crowded and understaffed. And as Sydney would testify, very hot! The nurses were working so hard but it seemed like an overwhelming task to meet the needs of all of the patients. It gave me the itch to get to work. Mike and I have struggled to not feel guilty that we are not "working" yet, while we study language. But we know that without investing the time and learning the language of the Malawians, we will always struggle in ministry and understanding. So please pray for diligence and patience as we continue our language learning.